Feet and Footwear: Applying Biological Design and Mismatch Theory to Running Injuries

Abstract

ance-running specialists [1-3]. However, injury rates ranging from 20-79% [4-6] suggest modern humans are prone to injury in running which the Endurance-Running hypothesis contends is a species-specific movement pattern for which we are well adapted. Explanations and solutions focus largely on shoe design and gait mechanics. Foot structure and function, in contrast, have received little attention in running-related research [7]. Moreover, and despite continued interest in running-shoe design, there has been little attention on how footwear might influence foot structure and function and therefore the rest of the kinetic chain above it. This opinion piece addresses these issues and proposes a novel perspective that could add to factors explaining injury risk in endurance running.